Karl Kroeber facts for kids

Karl Kroeber (born November 24, 1926 – died November 8, 2009) was an American expert who studied books and writing. He was especially interested in a period of English writing called the Romantics, and also in the stories and writings of Native American people. His parents, Theodora and Alfred L. Kroeber, were both scientists who studied human cultures.

Who Was Karl Kroeber?

Karl Kroeber was a professor at Columbia University. He taught about English literature and also about "comparative literature." This means he looked at books and stories from different countries and cultures.

Studying Books and Nature

Kroeber wrote many books and articles. He explored how we can understand stories and poems better. He also looked at how literature connects to nature and the environment, which is called ecology. He found ways to link traditional stories and the history of art with how we read books.

What is Literary Criticism?

When Karl Kroeber studied "literary criticism," he was looking at how people analyze and understand books. It's like being a detective for stories. You try to figure out what the author meant, why characters act a certain way, and what lessons a story might teach us.

His Family and Connections

Karl Kroeber came from a family of thinkers and writers. His sister was the famous science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin. His children also followed interesting paths. His son Paul became a linguist, studying languages. Another son, Arthur, became a journalist and an expert on China. His daughter, Katharine Kroeber Wiley, is a writer too.

Later Life and Legacy

Karl Kroeber passed away on November 8, 2009, when he was 82 years old. He left behind many important ideas about how we read and understand literature, especially its connections to nature and different cultures.